NFL, USA Football, GENYOUth and Fuel Up to Play 60 Committed to Supporting Youth Health & Wellness Through NFL FLAG

One Million New Students Will Get Active Through NFL FLAG Essentials Kits to Boost Activity and Encourage Kids to ‘Play 60’ Nationwide

CHICAGO – NFL, USA Football, GENYOUth and Fuel Up to Play 60 announced the expansion of their commitment to youth health and wellness by giving NFL FLAG Essentials Kits to one million students across 2,500 schools nationwide, including 10 focus cities: Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Jacksonville, Miami, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Pittsburgh and San Francisco.  The expansion is made possible by a $1 million commitment from NFL Foundation.

The announcement was made by Chicago Mayor RAHM EMANUEL, CEO of GENYOUth ALEXIS GLICK and NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL at the 2015 NFL Draft Youth Football Clinic in Chicago’s Grant Park.

During 2014 Kickoff, NFL, USA Football, GENYOUth and Fuel Up to Play 60 announced a commitment to providing children in elementary schools and after-school programs nationwide with NFL FLAG Essentials Kits enabling kids and communities to “Play 60.”  The kits which include footballs, flag belts, posters and a PE curriculum designed for elementary and middle school students, garnered enthusiasm, reaching 1,800 schools nationwide, resulting in 500,000 kids getting more active, and the demand for NFL FLAG powered by USA Football to be played before, during and after school.

The goal of the partnership between the NFL and Fuel Up to Play 60 is to give children more opportunities to be physically active and to “Play 60” by offering PE teachers and school administrators the equipment, curriculum, training and recognition they need to uplift and support physical education.  This extension of the program provides a million more students across the country with the tools to play NFL FLAG, which combines the strategy of football with the lessons of teamwork, resiliency and respect.

“We want all kids to have the chance to get active and flag football is a fun way to play 60 and learn the fundamentals of football,” said Commissioner Goodell. “We know many children are physically inactive and the critical need in schools and communities for equipment and ways to increase participation in physical education. We want to make this a positive experience by offering NFL FLAG Kits to inspire kids to play football and be active today and in years to come.”

Results from the program’s first year include:

• 98% of teachers reporting using the Kits in PE class for more than one semester
• 47% using Kits after school
• 28% using Kits during recess
• 21% using Kits weekend activity and/or sporting activities
• 12% using Kits before school, leading to an increased number of physically activity kids

Schools can apply for the Kits starting in early May via the Fuel Up to Play 60 website: www.FuelUpToPlay60.com and will be provided at the beginning of the 2015-16 school year while supplies last.  Additionally, in-person FLAG trainings using the curriculum developed by USA Football and SHAPE America will be held in the 10 NFL markets this fall.

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